If you have successfully completed all of these lessons, you will have a great start at reliable 2on-2off contact behavior.  While moving the behavior to full contacts is outside the scope of this course – the general approach was discussed in the first post of the course. Once you are doing full contacts, here are a few final thoughts: Maintain […]

The ability to send your dog from the 2on-2off position on the dogwalk or Aframe back into a tunnel without having to be in front of the dog is a handy skill to have.  Being able to send back into a tunnel from behind is even handier! Here is an example sequence where it would be helpful to get a […]

By now, you should have a strong 2on-2off behavior on your target plank even when adding high level distractions such as thrown toys, food, and all the motion on your part that you are likely to do on course.  This includes running ahead to a 1) front cross, 2) pushing across the end of the plank, 3) running, stopping and […]

Teaching the entire teeter is outside the scope of this course.  The 2on-2off behavior on the teeter is best used for dogs weighing more than 15 lbs or so.  The rebound for small dogs doing the 2on-2off can bounce them right off the teeter.  For those small dogs teaching a run to the end and waiting with all four feet […]

Important Note: If you are ready to move the target behavior to the dogwalk, you should have by now built confidence in the dog for running across a narrow board.  I start by asking the dog to walk, trot and then run on a low narrow board, and by teaching the dog to jump on and off the board (so […]

Fading the target: There are a couple of ways to fade the target and you can use them both. In and Out Make it less visible by making it smaller or matching the color of the surface as shown in this photo   In and Out: The second way to fade the target is to simply remove it within a […]

Add the behavior to stairs: If you are training a 2on-2off behavior for the A-frame, using stairs as part of your training will give the dog a chance to practice weight shift similar to what is needed on the A-frame.  This practice should only be done on stairs that have good footing. Start by asking the dog to hop onto […]

Now that the 2on-2off behavior has been established on the target plank, the dog understands the release cue, will focus forward to a cookie or toy on release and can perform these behaviors with minor distractions, it is time to: Begin to angle the board. Allow the dog to hop onto the board and immediately go into 2on-2off position Add […]

Continue to work on the 2on-2off position on the target plank adding distractions in small increments. In each of these, watch for head forward and down — looking at target and feet still. Here are some easy beginning distractions: Vary your position while delivering treats – changing sides.  Watch that your dog’s head doesn’t come up as you are moving […]

At this stage, your dog should 1) be able to comfortably hop onto the target plank and wait for release and 2) when sitting or standing be able to focus forward toward a target, keeping his head down while you deliver treats.  This means you should also feel comfortable with the mechanics of delivering food quickly without the dog tracking […]